Assessment in Counseling: A Guide to the Use of Psychological Assessment Procedures

This book presents information about various psychological assessment procedures that are specifically relevant for practicing counselors. It deals with the use of assessment procedures in the counseling process and emphasizes the selection, interpretation, and communication of psychological test results. The importance of integrating test results with other information about the client is also stressed. It is assumed that the reader possesses basic knowledge of statistics often required in the evaluation and use of psychological tests. Case studies are presented throughout the book. Section 1 presents basic concepts of psychological assessment. Section 2 covers cognitive assessment and the various tests that assess intelligence, academic aptitude, and academic achievement. Section 3 deals with assessment procedures used by counselors to assist clients in making decisions about careers and life plans. In Section 4, personality assessment is considered, including the use of personality inventories. Section 5 concerns professional practices and considerations. Appendixes include: (1) Excerpts from the "Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice" 1995), the Responsibilities of Users of Standardized Tests, and the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing; and (2) names/acronyms of commonly used tests and names/addresses for text publishers. (Contains 13 figures, 10 tables, and over 700 references.) (JDM)